Geishas may originally be a Japanese tradition, but the W March 2013 editorial proves that it can translate itself into many different cultures.
Featuring a multitude of different interpretations of the classic Geisha look, the W March 2013 was captured by photographers Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott with styling done by Edward Enninful. Models Ondria Hardin, Saskia de Brauw, Xiao Wen Ju and Yumi Lambert each don their own Geisha character; a classic Geisha, one with barely any clothing on with books replacing the obi (an important part of a Geisha's dress which looks sort of like a backpack) and a handful of other artistic variations.
The W March 2013 photo shoot does an amazing job at paying homage to the Geisha while exploring new facets of the heritage.
Risque Transformed Geisha Shoots
The W March 2013 Editorial Explores The Japanese Tradition
Trend Themes
1. Multicultural Geisha Fashion - This trend highlights the adaptation of the traditional Geisha look across different cultures, creating opportunities for fashion brands to design multicultural Geisha-inspired clothing lines.
2. Artistic Geisha Interpretations - This trend showcases the artistic variations of the Geisha concept, opening up possibilities for artists and designers to create innovative and avant-garde Geisha-inspired artworks and products.
3. Modern Geisha Symbolism - This trend explores the modern symbolism of the Geisha image, offering opportunities for marketers to use the Geisha concept as a symbol of elegance, mystery, and cultural fusion.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion brands can capitalize on the multicultural Geisha trend by creating clothing lines that feature modern and culturally diverse interpretations of the Geisha look.
2. Art - Artists and designers can leverage the artistic Geisha interpretations trend by creating unique and avant-garde artworks and products inspired by the Geisha concept.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketers can harness the modern Geisha symbolism trend to create campaigns and branding strategies that incorporate the elegance, mystery, and cultural fusion associated with the Geisha image.